Nexion Ombre collection wins the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026

A global benchmark for design excellence 

Organised by the iF Design Foundation, the iF DESIGN AWARD has been recognising outstanding design for more than 70 years. Each year, an international jury of design professionals and sustainability experts evaluates thousands of entries from across the world, assessing them according to criteria such as form, function, innovation, and conceptual clarity. In 2026, the Nexion Ombre collection was selected in the Product Design discipline within the Tiles category, standing out for its ability to reinterpret surface design through light, depth, and material expression. Chosen from over 10,000 submissions from 68 countries, the project was recognised for elevating surfaces into a new architectural language, where tactile qualities and sculptural depth create dynamic spatial effects. This recognition places Nexion among the innovators shaping the future of contemporary surface design, demonstrating how conceptual research and technological expertise can converge to create materials that actively contribute to the architectural experience.

Ombre, a spatial design element 

First introduced during Milano Design Week 2025, the Ombre collection quickly attracted attention within the design community for its sculptural surfaces and distinctive approach to material design. Ombre sintered surfaces interact with light and shadow to influence spatial perception. As illumination shifts throughout the day, patterns subtly emerge and recede, creating environments that feel layered, dynamic, and alive. The collection features five sculptural structures – Punto, Croce, Forme, Trame, and Picché – paired with a palette of earthy tones designed to evoke natural materiality. Together, these elements create a tactile and visual language that allows architects to introduce rhythm, contrast, and continuity into both interior and exterior spaces.

According to architect Massimo Falato, Ombre is rooted in a philosophy of truth and authenticity, an approach that reinterprets natural materials by embracing imperfection as meaning and depth as structure. Within this vision, the surface becomes an architectural element that actively participates in the design of space. Crafted through a careful balance of artisanal experimentation and advanced sintering technology, Ombre offers durable, versatile, and scalable solutions suitable for both interior and exterior applications. By integrating light, texture, and depth into the spatial experience, the collection opens new compositional possibilities, allowing designers to shape perception, enrich atmospheres, and elevate the quality of projects beyond aesthetics alone.

The design principles behind the award

The Ombre collection reflects the core criteria evaluated by the iF DESIGN AWARD – form, function, differentiation, and idea – translating them into a material language that turns surfaces into tools for creativity, perception, and spatial storytelling.

Form

Ombre’s five sculptural structures – Punto, Croce, Forme, Trame, and Picché – create a three-dimensional surface language where light and shadow continuously interact. As illumination shifts throughout the day, subtle variations emerge across the motifs, introducing rhythm, depth, and a dynamic experiential quality to walls and floors.

Function 

Developed with architects and designers in mind, the collection balances beauty with practical performance. Durable, versatile, and scalable, Ombre surfaces are suitable for both interior and exterior applications, offering a solution that integrates seamlessly into architectural projects without compromising usability.

Differentiation 

A distinctive worn effect defines the collection’s visual identity. Patterns appear to fade like traces or memories on the surface, creating layers of depth and tactility. Ombre establishes its own material language beyond imitation, merging artisanal experimentation with advanced sintering technology.

Idea 

At its core, Ombre proposes a shift in the role of surfaces within architecture. Moving beyond decoration, the collection positions material as an active participant in design. Through the interplay of light, texture, colour, and shadow, surfaces become instruments for shaping atmosphere and perception, allowing designers to create emotionally engaging and spatially rich environments.

The creative vision behind Ombre 

The collection was developed by Italian Designers and Nexion Design Team, whose work reflects the brand’s Indo-Italian design philosophy, an approach that merges technical mastery with aesthetic sensitivity. The recognition at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 highlights the growing importance of surfaces as tools of architectural expression and confirms Ombre as a project where design research, craftsmanship, and technological innovation converge.

Experience the Ombre collection –
https://nexiontiles.com/products/?_sft_collections=ombre